What is a cultural desert?

A true story, in the north of Montréal

In the north of Montréal, the Belleville library closed its doors after 53 years. A family in Montréal-Nord that went there for books every Saturday: where does it go now?

The City found a simple answer: the Culture-Nomade, an electric vehicle that goes to parks in Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Montréal-Nord. People can borrow books there and join activities, for all ages. And a new place is being built: the Espace du Cœur-Nomade, a library and cultural space between the two boroughs, planned for 2027.

That is the lesson: when culture cannot be in a building, it can go to the people.

The role of Canada, Québec and the City

The Government of Canada has the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. It helps build and renovate arts and heritage spaces, so that more Canadians can reach them in their own community.

In Montréal, the idea is not new. In 1981, the City opened its first maison de la culture, in Maisonneuve. The goal, even then: to make culture accessible to as many Montrealers as possible, in their own neighbourhood. The Government of Québec helped set them up together with libraries.

And Matin? Matin does the same, at its own scale: we go where people are. On November 7, 2026, our first activity took place in a park, Parc Angrignon, free of charge, near the metro. 21 people came.

Matin’s role

Matin does not have a building. That is not a problem: a park, a library or a café can become a place of culture for an hour.

And Matin? Coming soon: the “Café des cultures”, to talk around a table, and “Mon quartier, nos cultures”, so residents can say for themselves what their neighbourhood is missing.

To remember

• A cultural desert is not a lack of interest, it is a lack of places.
• Culture can go to the people: in a park, in a vehicle, in a café.
• Canada, Québec, the City and local organizations each have a part to play.